McHenry County voters head to the polls

Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 9:41 a.m. CST

CRYSTAL LAKE – While voters slowly trickled into the Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center on Tuesday morning, Howard Thorson and other election judges braced for what will be a long, but rewarding, day.

Thorson, who has been an election judge for the past six years, was expecting a low turnout for the 2014 General Primary Election, but he stressed the importance of making your voice heard.

"[The turnout] will probably be fairly light," he said. "But this is important. This determines what happens. It's really important to the candidates. People may not think it's important. But these candidates running for office, it's important for them. They want to serve the public in the way they feel is best."

Voter Ron Swank was one of the first voters through the nature center doors Tuesday morning and said he wanted to make sure he got his vote in for the Nunda Township garbage collection issue, the county sheriff's race, and the governor's race.

"There are some important issues and I want to be sure I got my vote in," he said.

Swank urged others to do their homework and come to the polls informed, or "otherwise other people are going to make their decisions for them," he added.

Crystal Lake resident Ken Martin said he tries to read a couple newspapers a day to stay informed and learn about multiple sides of different issues.

"You can't complain if you don't make yourself count," he said. "If I don't vote then I don't have a right to complain about anybody's else's job being done correctly."

Bonnie Martin, Ken's wife, agreed that the best way to make a change in your community is to cast a vote.

"It's an important thing for every American to do," she said.

Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. The 13-hour day will mean a long day for Thorson, but he said it's an experience he really enjoys.

"It's kind of a neat day," Thorson said. "You get to see some of the neighbors and stuff like that. Say hi to them, and ask them about how their family is doing. They ask us back how things are going. This is part of being in the community. It's about getting out on election day and voting, and doing your part as a citizen."